History
1959
Central Canada Car Club staged the first-ever automobile event on ice on Sunday, February 8. Nine competitors take part in a timed event called the Dice-on-Ice. Driver made two runs around a 1.7-mile ice track on the Port Arthur harbour to record the fastest lap. Oliver Deke Dawdy, driving a D.K.W., recorded the fastest time, completing the two laps in 5 minutes and 2 seconds. Tibor Dancz, in a Volkswagen, was second in a time of 5 minutes and 7 seconds. Peg Wenting was the only female competitor.
A second event was held on February 22 with competitors given three tries to record the fastest time possible. To speed up the trials, two cars are allowed on the track a half a lap apart. George Cummings, driving a Volkswagen, was the top driver with a best time of 5 minutes and 15 seconds. Dawdy was second with a time of 5 minutes and 18 seconds. Tom Jones was third in a time of 5 minutes and 22 seconds in a Volvo owned by Al Albrecht.
1960
Central Canada Car Club began its season with a Dice-On-Ice event on January 31. Twenty-six competitors, including six women, raced individually around a three-quarter mile track on the Port Arthur harbour to record the best time out of three laps. Included in the field is a five-ton truck. Oliver Dawdy won the mens section with a lap time of 1 minute and 45.6 seconds driving a DKW. C. Jurik drives her Volkswagen to a first place finish in the womens section, completing a lap in a time of 2 minutes and 5 seconds.
1961
Central Canada Car Club held a series of timed events on ice. The club later changed its named to the Thunder Bay Autosport Club.
1962
An eight-race series on ice was established at Mud Lake. Cars competed in two classes, sports sedans and sports cars. A LeMans-style was used to begin each race with drivers running to their cars and racing and racing counter clockwise around the track. It was initially proposed to hold races every other week. After several hundred spectators attended for the opening race on January 14, the club decided to hold events every week.
About fifteen cars competed during the season. After a relatively accident-free opening-weekend, the rest of the season was plagued with incidents when it was decided to put sand on the track to increase speeds.
Elgin Turner was knocked unconscious in one race after being hit from behind and striking his head on a steel roll bar mounted behind the driver’s seat. He came to and resumed racing. George Godden suffered a minor leg injury in another mishap. After hitting a snow bank, he climbed out of his car to inspect the damage. While standing in front of the car, another driver struck it. The force of the bump pinned Goddens leg between his car and the bank.
Two events were cancelled. One was postponed to allow local drivers to compete in an ice-racing event in Duluth. The other was cancelled due to weather. The season wrapped up on March 11 with drivers competing in three races, including a one-hour endurance race. Club awards were presented at a banquet held at the Fort William Business Mens Club in April.
RESULTS
January 14, 1962 Arnold Murtomaki (15) Arnold Murtomaki Frank Murphy
January 21, 1962 Frank Murphy (20) Frank Murphy Martin Jensen Martin Jensen
January 28, 1962 Arnold Murtomaki (20) Arnold Murtomaki Oliver Dawdy
February 4, 1962 Races cancelled
February 11, 1962
February 18, 1962 Races cancelled
February 25, 1962 Arnold Murtomaki (20) Tom Jones (20)
March 4, 1962 Oliver Dawdy (15) Arnold Murtomaki (15) Arnold Murtomaki (10)
1964
Ice racing was cancelled due to poor ice conditions.
1967
The Thunder Bay Autosport Club was officially incorporated on May 3.
1968
Five ice racing events were held during the year. The season opened Sunday, January 7 at White Lily Lake, but moved to the Port Arthur harbour once ice conditions were safe. On opening day, Arnold Murtomaki won a 25-lap race driving a mini Cooper. Tom Jones turned in the fastest lap, driving his Cooper S around the half-mile track in 50.7 seconds. Two five-lap races were also run with John Jones in a Cooper S and John Harrison in a Lotus Cortina each claiming a victory.
Races at the harbour were run on a 1.8-mile course. Fourteen cars turned out for the first harbour event on January 21. Twelve finished the 50-lap feature with Tom Jones taking first place. Murtomaki was second. Roger Rickards, a newcomer to the club, was third.
Two races were held on Sunday, February 11. Tom Jones won both the 10-lap race and the 50-lap races. Murtomaki was second in the ten-lap race with John Morton third. Morton placed second in the longer race with John Jones finishing third. Members of the Thunder Bay Snowmobile Club also ran a series of races during the day. Ron Davis, Jerry Brabook, Don Young and Jim Egan each won their respective divisions.
Tom Jones made it three in a row with another 50-lap win on the harbour on Sunday, February 25. Murtomaki was second and John Jones third. A 10-lap race was also held with John Jones beating out Tom Jones to the checkered flag. Barry White was third.
The final race of the Can-Am series was held on the harbour on March 2 and 3. The series was formed with the Thunder Bay Autosport Club joining with the Arrowhead Sports Car Club of Duluth and Twin Cities Car Club of Minneapolis in its development. The local leg of the competition was named the Lechow Cup after Doctor Lechow, a city doctor and automobile enthusiast.
Tom Jones led much of the 100-lap race, but relinquished the lead to Phil Shockley of Minneapolis after encountering mechanical problems. The win gave Shockley the overall Can-Am series title, one point ahead of Harrison and two ahead of Tom Jones. Murtomaki was the top local driver in the race, finishing second with John Erickson of Duluth crossing the finish line in third. Awards were also given to the top drivers in each car class. Erickson was the top finisher in Class A. Harrison won Class B. Morton claimed Class C and Shockley won Class D.
RESULTS
January 7, 1968 Arnold Murtomaki (25-laps) John Jones (5-laps) John Harrison (5-laps)
January 21, 1968 Tom Jones (50-miles)
February 11,1968 Tom Jones (50-miles) Tom Jones (10-miles)
February 25, 1968 Tom Jones (50-miles) John Jones (10-laps)
LECHOW CUP
March 2 and 3 Port Arthur harbour (100 miles)
Overall Winner Phil Shockey Minneapolis
Class A John Erickson Duluth
Class B John Harrison Port Arthur
Class C John Morton Port Arthur
Class D Phil Shockley Minneapolis
1969
Heavy snow and poor ice conditions forced the cancellation of the ice-racing season. Several attempts were made to develop tracks at two separate locations before officials decided in early February to cancel the season. Ice problems also plagued Minnesota where only one leg of the Can-Am series.
1970
Ice racing began in January with cars divided in two classes. Classes A and B were combined to form one class with Class C and D cars identified in another. Four races were run around a 1.4-mile track at Boulevard Lake. Tom Jones and Arnold Murtomaki split the feature wins.
The Can-Am series opened its season in Thunder Bay on January 10 and 11. The series was expanded to include a fourth race in Winnipeg. Tom Jones posted the best lap in the time trials to earn the pole position in the lap-100 feature. Driving an Austin S, Jones jumped to the early lead and outdistanced himself from the rest of the 33-car field to capture the win. Falling snow throughout the race reduced visibility for the drivers, but no major accidents were reported.
Local drivers dominated most of the class titles. Jones also won the Class A. Chris Cottenden won Class B driving a Cooper. Murtomaki, who finished the race second, captured Class C driving a Volkswagen Beetle. Fred Zachau of St. Paul was the lone American to earn a driver’s title by taking Class D honours in a Triumph TR-4.
The day also featured a grudge match between John Harrison and News-Chronicle Sports Editor Bill Guy. Just before the green flag dropped, a number of other drivers pushed Harrison’s car into the snow back, giving Guy a head start. When Harrison finally got his car unstuck, Guy had a half-lap lead at which time passed over driving duties to Tom Jones who completed the two-lap race.
Results
CLASS AB CLASS CD
January Tom Jones Arnold Murtomaki
February 1, 1970 Tom Jones Arnold Murtomaki
February 15, 1970 Arnold Murtomaki
February 22, 1970 Arnold Murtomaki Mel Kohar
Lechow Cup
January 11 and 12 Boulevard Lake (100 miles)
Overall Winner Tom Jones Thunder Bay Austin S
Class A Tom Jones Thunder Bay Austin S
Class B Chris Cottenden Thunder Bay Cooper
Class C Arnold Murtomaki Thunder Bay Volkswagen Beetle
Class D Fred Zachau St. Paul Triumph TR-4
1971
The Can-Am series concluded fourth season in Thunder Bay with a 100-lap race at Boulevard Lake on March 6 and 7. Minneapolis drivers dominated. Jerry Hanson, driving a Saab-Sonnet, jumped into the early lead in lap one and held it through the rest of race to claim the Lechow Cup. Joe Hansen of Minneapolis was second with local driver Chris Cottenden finishing third. Jerry Hansen was also the top driver in Class A with fellow Minneapolis drivers Peter Kitchak claiming top honours in Class C, Denny Popp in Class D and Tom Countryman in Class X, the experimental class. Cottendens placing earned him the drivers title in Class B. The field also included Bobbie Collins of Minneapolis, believed to be the first female driver to compete in a race in Thunder Bay.
Defending race winner, Tom Jones, was the fastest in qualifying runs held on the Saturday. He wound up fourth in the main event after forced to make a pit stop to change tire. He finished the race with the left tire void of any studs. Jones did earn enough points to capture the Class A title in the overall series. Kitchak captured the overall series title which all saw competitors race during the year in Minnesota and Winnipeg. Other local drivers in the race were Mel Kohar, John Jones and John Harrison. John Jones and Harrison both suffered breakdowns and failed to finish.
A challenge race was also held with Shuniah Reeve John Cooke, Thunder Bay Mayor Saul Laskin and US astronaut Scott Carpenter taking part. Carpenter, who has the distinction of being the second man in space, was a special guest for the event and competed in the 100-lap race. Borrowing cars from Can-Am competitors, the three men competed in a two-lap race around the 1.8-mile track. Cooke won with Carpenter finishing second. Laskin blew a tire while attempting to pass Carpenter on the second lap and placed last.
Results
Lechow Cup
March 6 and 7 Boulevard Lake (100 miles)
Overall Winner Jerry Hansen Minneapolis Saab-Sonnet
Class A Jerry Hansen Minneapolis Saab-Sonnet
Class B John Cottenden Thunder Bay
Class C Peter Kitchak Minneapolis
Class D Denny Popp Minneapolis
Class E Gene Grimm Minneapolis
Class X Tom Countryman Minneapolis
1972
It was a clean sweep for Minnesota drivers in the Lechow Cup held January 22 and 23. The race was the second of five-that made up the Can-Am series. Tuck Thomas of Minneapolis drove his Cooper S to a first place finish and claimed driving honours in Class A. It was Thomas second consecutive victory, having won the series opener in Brainerd a week prior. Peter Kitchak of Bloomington, Minnesota was second in a Porchse 911 and won Class C while Phil Shockley of Minneapolis drove his Saab to a third place finish. Other class winners were Dewey Brobaugh of St. Paul in Class B driving a Mini Cooper, Jerry Nelson of Minneapolis in Class D with a Volkswagen Beetle and Fred Zachau of St. Paul in Class E driving a Triumph TR-4. Defending champion Jerry Hansen of Minneapolis was forced to park his Saab-Sonnett after completing 49 laps.
Best among the five Thunder Bay drivers entered was Chris Cottenden. He drove his Cooper to a 13th place finish. Bill Hayes was 15th, but placed second overall in Class C. Mel Kohar completed just eight laps in his MGB before dropping out while Roger Rickards could only muster four laps before pulling his Cooper off the track. Brian Spooner was also entered, but mechanical problems with his Mini Cooper prevented him from starting.
Results
Lechow Cup
January 22 and 23 (100 miles)
Overall Winner Tuck Thomas Minneapolis Cooper S
Class A Tuck Thomas Minneapolis Cooper S
Class B Dewey Brobough St. Paul Mini Cooper
Class C Peter Kitchak Minneapolis Saab
Class D Jerry Nelson Minneapolis Volkswagen Beetle
Class E Fred Zachau St. Paul Triumph TR-4
1973
Results
Lechow Cup
February 3 and 4 (100 miles)
Overall Winner Jerry Orr
Class A Chris Cottenden Thunder Bay
Class B Jerry Orr
Class C Hank Godredson
Class D George McLaughlin
Class E Bob Brown
Class X Ed Gorny
1974
Forty-three competitors were on hand for the 100-mile Lechow Cup race held February 2 and 3 the Thunder Bay harbour. Thirty finished, including all six local drivers, but it was Peter Kitchak of Minneapolis who finished on top. Kitchak was also the top finishing Class C driver. Fred Zachau of St. Paul was second and earned Class E driving honours. Don Roderick of Minneapolis was third. Defending race champion, Jerry Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota, managed to win Class B honours, but could do no better than 11th overall.
Tom Jones was the top local driver with a fifth place finish. He was tops in Class X, the experimental class. Chris Cottenden was seventh. John Harrison placed 10th. Mel Kohar finished 20th. Bill Hayes was 23rd and Rick Kohar was 30th overall. No female drivers registered. Bob Brown of Vancouver came the farthest to compete only to drop out early in the race.
Results
Lechow Cup
February 2 and 3 Thunder Bay harbour (100 miles)
Overall Winner Peter Kitchak Minneapolis
Class A Don Roderick Minneapolis
Class B Jerry Orr Burnsville, MN
Class C Peter Kitchak Minneapolis
Class D George McLaughlin, Duluth
Class E Fred Zachau St. Paul
Class F Duane Mahder Eau Claire, WI
Class X Tom Jones Thunder Bay
1975
Minnesota drivers dominated the Lechow Cup, held February 1 and 2 on a 1.5-mile course on the Thunder Bay harbour. Bob Youngdahl of Prior Lake, Minnesota piloted his Saab Sonnet to the victory and claimed the driver title in Class X. He ran the 67-lap, 100.5-mile race in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 18.6 seconds. Don Roderick of Long Lake, Minnesota finished second and took Class A honours in his Cooper S. Tommy Archer of Duluth was third and drove his Renault to tops in Class D. John Erickson of Duluth was the only other driver to complete all 67 laps and headed Class F in a Volvo. Bob Brown of Vancouver was the highest finishing Canadian in the race. He drove his Datsun to a fifth place finish for driving honours in Class E. Ken Belanger was the Class C winner, driving a Volkswagen Beetle to sixth place overall. Malcolm Scott of Winnipeg was the highest finishing driver in Class B. He drove his Cooper S to eighth.
Mel Kohar had the highest finish of seven Thunder Bay drivers. Driving a Camaro, Kohar ended the race in 16th spot, 8 laps behind the leader. Dennis Harris, driving a Spitfire, was the only other local driver to finish. He placed 21st overall. Tom Jones completed 62 laps before retiring with mechanical problems. Jim Rodgers did the same after 22 laps. Tim Karajaoja and Chris Cottenden failed to start while Bruce Berringer was disqualified.
Results
Lechow Cup
February 1 and 2 Thunder Bay harbour (67 laps)
Overall Winner Bob Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN Saab-Sonnet
Class A Don Roderick Long Lake, MN Cooper S
Class B Malcolm Scott Winnipeg Cooper S
Class C Ken Belanger St. Paul Volkswagen Beetle
Class D Tommy Archer Duluth Renault
Class E Bob Brown Vancouver Datsun
Class F John Erickson Duluth Volvo
Class X Bob Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN Saab-Sonnet
1976
The last leg of the six-race International Ice Racing Association series was held February 28 and 29 with the running of the Lechow Cup on the Thunder Bay harbour. Just three of the 32-car field were able to complete the 100-lap race with Jerry Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota coming out on top to become the first two-time winner. Orr, driving a Cooper S, finished almost a full minute ahead of Jeff Campbell of Richfield, Minnesota. Orr also won driving honours in Class B and earned the overall IIRA championship title for the win. Tom Jones drove his Saab Sonnet to a third place finish and captured the title in Class X. Defending race winner Bob Youngdahl did not show for the event
Other class winners were Bobby Archer of Duluth in Class D in a Renault; Darwin Boswell of Moundview, Minnesota in Class E in a Corvette; Jim Moyle of Duluth and Dan Page of Richfield co-driving a Saab in Class A and Steve Erickson of Duluth in Class F in a Volvo.
Local drivers in the race where Mel Kohar, who placed 13th overall in a Volkswagen Beetle, Chris Cottenden, who finished 14th in a Saab, Gerald Guarasci, who placed 20th in a Vauxhall and Tim Karajaoja, who was 22nd in a Cooper. Jim Rodgers, who drove a Volkswagen Beetle, was the only local driver among ten cars that failed to finish.
Results
Lechow Cup
February 28 and 29 Thunder Bay harbour (100 miles)
Overall Winner Jerry Orr Burnsville, MN Cooper S
Class A Jim Moyle Duluth Saab
Dan Page Richfield, MN
Class B Jerry Orr Burnsville, MN Cooper S
Class C Paul Keldson
Class D Bob Archer Duluth Renault
Class E Darwin Boswell Moundsview, MN Corvette
Class F Steve Erickson Duluth Volvo
Class X Tom Jones Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
1977
Hill City Kinsmen was brought on a sponsor for the running of the Lechow Cup. The Thunder Bay harbour was the site for the 100-mile race. Bob Archer of Duluth led the first two laps in a Saab Sonnet before giving way to Bob Youngdahl of Prior Lake, Minnesota, who drove his Saab to the victory, capturing his second Lechow Cup race. Both Youngdahl and Archer were the only drivers in the 24-car field to complete all 100 miles. Youngdahl also captured the title in Class X. John Erickson of Duluth was third and topped Class A in a Subaru. Ron Verhaagen of White Bear Lake, Minnesota drove his Mini to a 10th place finish to win Class B. Bill Jenkins of Minneapolis earned Class C honours with his 5th placing in a Volkswagen Beetle. Dave Drummond of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in a Volkswagen Beetle, was the only Class D car to finish. David Chizek of Minneapolis was tops in Class E driving his Datsun to 4th overall.
Mel Kohar was the top finisher among local drivers. He piloted his Volkswagen to a 7th place finish. Don Goodfellow was 12th. Barry White in a Capri was 13th. Pat Dickey in an Austin Mini was 16th. Tom Jones, who started the race at the back of the pack, broke an axle while challenging for the lead forcing him to the pits after 32 laps. Chris Cottenden completed 10 laps before dropping out. Richard Schutte and Roger Rickards failed to start. Rickards was forced to withdraw after rupturing a disk while working in his car in the pits.
Results
Lechow Cup
February 19 and 20 Thunder Bay harbour (63 laps)
Overall Winner Bob Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN Saab
Class A John Erickson Duluth Subaru
John Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN
Class B Ron Verhaagen White Bear Lake, MN Austin Mini
Class C Bill Jenkins Minnetonka, MN Volkswagen
Class D Dave Brummond Eau Claire, WI Volkswagen
Class E Dave Chizek Minneapolis Datsun
Class F Paul Squier Datsun
Class X Bob Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN Saab
1978
The Lechow Cup was renamed the Kinsmen Cup in recognition of the Hill City Kinsmen Clubs sponsorship. Thirty-two cars entered for the 100-mile event around the 1.3-mile track on the Thunder Bay harbour. Twenty-two finished Tom Jones drove his Saab Sonnet to victory, capping a sweep of the International Ice Racing Associations seven-race series and taking the drivers title in Class X. It was the second time Jones had won the Thunder Bay race. His brother, John Jones, placed second driving a Volkswagen Rabbit and was the only other driver to complete the entire 100-mile circuit. Steve Erickson of Duluth was third a lap down.
Mel Kohar completed his sweep of the Class C series by finishing 7th in the Thunder Bay race driving a Volkswagen Beetle. He was third overall in the IIRA championship behind Tom Jones and John Erickson of Duluth who was the top Class A driver with a 5th place showing. Terry Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota, was 17th, but that was good enough to earn Class B honours. Bob Brown of Dugald, Manitoba, was the top Class E driver and finished 6th overall. Hank Godfredson of Minneapolis was the Class F winner.
Several local drivers were among the finishers. Scotty Bell was 15th. Chris Cottenden, Roger Rickards and Jeff Campbell co-drove a Saab Sonnet to 16th. Barry White finished 19the in a Capri. Kurt Tyralla, who at 59 was the oldest driver in the IIRA series, was 20th in a Volkswagen Beetle. Jean Rogers, the only woman in the race, was 21st in a Mini-Cooper. Anthony Serrao was 23rd. Two drivers failed to finish. Trevor Vickery co-drove with his cousin John, who was visiting from North Hampton, England, in a Mini-Cooper S, but dropped out after 32 laps. Duff McFadden completed just 5 of the 61 laps.
Results
Kinsmen Cup
March 4 and 5 Thunder Bay harbour (61 laps)
Overall Winner Tom Jones Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
Class A John Erickson Duluth
Class B Terry Orr Burnsville, MN
Class C Mel Kohar Thunder Bay Volkswagen Beetle
Class E Bob Brown Dugald, MB
Class F Hank Godredson Minneapolis
Class X Tom Jones Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
1979
A regular series of ice races was held for the first time in nine years. First event was scheduled for early December with studded and unstudded, or rubber-to-ice divisions.
The Kinsmen Cup again concluded the seven-race series for the International Ice Racing Association on March 3 and 4. This year’s series included two car classes, production and showroom stock. Production cars would run the traditional 100-mile race, with showroom stock running in a 50-mile feature on Saturday. Tom Jones, in a Ford Fiesta, won the Saturday race, defeating Jim King of Winnipeg and Paul Brand of Minneapolis. It was Jones fifth win in the new class to capture the season title.
Jones also successfully defended his overall and Class X season titles on the strength of four straight wins to open the 1979 ice racing season, but mechanical problems prevented him from defending his Kinsmen Cup title in the production class. He dropped out after 9 laps. Duane Mahder of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, won the race, crossing the line two laps ahead of Bob Youngdahl of Prior Lake, Minnesota. The margin of victory was reduced to one lap after Mahder, who was driving an Austin-Mini, was penalized for passing under a yellow caution period. Tom Archer of Duluth was third. Class winners in the race were Mahder in Class in A, Mel Kohar, who finished the race 4th, in Class B and Youngdahl in Class X.
Other local finishers were Jim Rodgers, 5th; Gordon Birch and Scotty Bell, 7th; Trevor Vickery, 8th; Bill Jarrett, 12; and Susan Mallard, 14th. Mallard was the only female competitor. Tim Karajaola and Chris Cottenden both retired their cars after 9 laps.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
December 1978
January 11, 1979
February 11, 1979
Kinsmen Cup
March 3 and 4 Thunder Bay harbour (Production: 71 laps; Showroom stock: 29 laps)
Showroom Stock Tom Jones Thunder Bay
Production Duane Mahder Eau Claire, WI Austin Mini
Class A Duane Mahder Eau Claire, WI Austin Mini
Class B Mel Kohar Thunder Bay
Class X Bob Youngdahl Prior Lake, MN
1980
The Kinsmen Cup was held February 23 and 24 in the same site. Steve Erickson of Duluth jumped to the lead from the pole position and maintained it throughout the race now 50 laps in length. Erickson’s Saab finished 53.33 seconds ahead of second place finisher Bob Youngdahl of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Tom Archer of Duluth was third in a LeCar.
Tom Parnelli Jones Jr. joined with his father to a fourth place finish. Parnelli Jones started the race before handing over the driving duties in the middle of the race. While the elder Jones was driving, the tires began to lose studs, making it difficult to pick up ground on the leaders. Gary Adomko won the Class B title in a Capri while Erickson and Archer won Class X and A respectively.
Bobby Archer of Duluth won the 20-lap race for showroom stock cars. Bob Youngdahl Jr., of Prior Lake, was second. Randy Jokela of Cloquet, Minnesota was third. No local drivers were entered in the race.
Results
Kinsmen Cup
February 23 and 24 Lakeshore Drive (Production: 50 laps; Showroom stock: 20 laps)
Showroom Stock Bobby Archer
Production Steve Erickson Duluth
Class A Tommy Archer
Class B Hank Godfredson
Class X Steve Erickson
1981
Ice racing season opened December 28, 1980 with five events held on the ice near the Lakeview Lodge on Lakeshore Drive.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
December 28, 1980 Tom Jones Dick Spooner
January 11, 1981 Tom Jones Mel Kohar
January 25, 1981 Tom Jones Tom Jones
February 8, 1981 Tom Jones Tom Jones
March 8, 1981 Trevor Vickery Mel Kohar
Kinsmen Cup
1982
Drivers in the club’s regular race series competed for the Mid-Canada Cup in honour of sponsor Mid-Canada Race Products. Races were initially planned Brule Bay, near Chippewa Park, but a heavy snow fall in late December created unsafe ice condition in the area. The season was delayed two weeks so a track on Lake Superior off Lakeshore drive could be created. Two divisions, studded and rubber-to-ice, were run, although the rubber-to-ice class had a limited number of competitors. Parnelli Jones was the point’s champion in the studded class.
The Kinsmen Cup was held February 27 and 28.Production and showroom stock classes were combined for the 125-kilometre feature Twenty-two cars had to battle poor visibility. Tom Jones Sr., Steve Erickson and Brian Anderson shared the driving duties of a Saab Sonnet to win the 125-kilometre production class race and Class X title. Class A winner was Dan Page of Duluth with local drivers Barry White and Trevor Vickery in 2nd and 3rd. Ken Cich of Duluth won Class B beating out Bob Miller and Fred Calich. Dennis Popp won the showroom class with Bob Youngdahl finishing second.
Two women were among the 22-car field. Barb Rickards managed to finish the 57 laps despite losing her windshield wipers that caused the windshield to freeze over and impede her vision. Only a tiny clearing on the glass allowed her to watch the track for the last part of the race. Joy Farrell had her day end after crashing into a stalled car on the track.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 10, 1982
January 17, 1982
January 24, 1982 Barry White
February 7, 1982 Parnelli Jones Ron McCrae (pts)
February 14, 1982 Parnelli Jones Pat Dickey (pts)
March 7, 1982 Barry White (pts) Pat Dickey (pts)
Kinsmen Cup
February 27 and 28 Lakeshore Drive (125-kilometres)
Production Tom Jones Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
Steve Erickson
Brian Anderson
Class A Dan Page Duluth
Class B Ken Cich Duluth
Showroom Dennis Popp
Class X Tom Jones Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
Steve Erickson
Brian Anderson
1983
The ice-racing season opened January 31 on the bay at Lakeview Lodge with only one car series. John Jones Jr. in a Volkswagen Scirroco win the first event with Barb Rickard in an Austin-Mini second and Bob Miller in an Austin Mini third.
Poor ice conditions forced the Kinsmen Cup to be run on Rainy Lake near Fort Frances on March 5 and 6. It too was cancelled after ice condition deteriorated after the opening day.
Results
STUDDED RUBBER-TO-ICE
January 31, 1983 John Jones Jr. (pts)
February 7, 1983 John Jones Jr.(pts)
1984
A five-race series was established with drivers competing in the studded and non-studded classes. The season opened January 22 and concluded on March. 11. Barry White, in an Austin Mini, won all five of the features to end the drivers championship in the studded class. Joe Daze, also driving a Mini, won two of five races in the non-studded class to win the divisions title.
Lakeview Lodge became a major sponsor for the annual International Ice Racing Association event that was renamed the Lakeview Lodge 100. Held on March 3 and 4, feature events were held for studded modified and showroom stock cars and non-studded cars. John Jones and Kenny Cich of Duluth teamed up to take the main race in the modified class and captured Class X honours driving a Saab. Scotty Bell was second in a Saab. Ken Ryba of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was third in a Pinto and the Class B winner. Joy Farrell was fifth and the top Class A driver, earning her the distinction as the first female competitor to win a class championship in Thunder Bay.
John Dozier of Duluth was the winner of the showroom stock feature in a Volkswagen Rabbit. He also won the divisions Class P title. Dale Sand of Bloomington and Jeff Ruzich of Duluth co-drove their Volkswagen Rabbit to a second place finish and took Class A honours. Ken and Greg Belanger were third. Dan Gatten of St. Paul and Dave Galey of Minneapolis were tops in Class B.
Joe Daze won the novelty race for rubber-to-ice cars in a Mini. Shaun Allen was second in a Datsun and Lawrence Waino was third in a Honda.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 22, 1984 Barry White Joe Daze
January 29, 1984 Barry White Lawrence Wainio
February 5, 1984
February 26, 1984 Barry White Joe Daze
March 11, 1984 Barry White Lawrence Wainio
Lakeview Lodge 100
March 3 and 4 Lakeshore Drive (100-kilometres)
Modified John Jones Thunder Bay Ford Saab
Ken Cich Duluth
Class A Joy Farrell Thunder Bay Austin Mini
Class B Ken Ryba Eau Claire, WI Ford Pinto
Class X John Jones Thunder Bay Ford Saab
Ken Cich Duluth
Showroom Stock John Dozier Duluth Volkswagen Rabbit
Class S-A Dale Sand Bloomington, MN Volkswagen Rabbit
Jeff Ruzich Duluth
Class S-B Dan Gatten St. Paul
Dave Galey Minneapolis
Class S-P John Dozier Duluth Volkswagen Rabbit
Rubber-to-ice Joe Daze Thunder Bay Austin Mini
1985
The season opened January 20 with studded and non-studded classes competing in a six-race series on Lake Superior off Lakeshore Drive. .
The Lakeshore Lodge 100 was run on February 23 and 24. Three classes were run, modified, showroom stock and rubber-to-ice. Ken Cich of Duluth won the modified feature. Tom Jones was second and Joy Farrell was third, the highest finish ever by a female competitor in the event. Other local drivers in the top ten were Lawrence Wainio and Joe Mercuri in 8th and Steve Parlee in 9th.
The team of Herm Johnson and Chris Menard of Eau Claire, Wisconsin won the showroom stock class. Jim and Mary Cich of St. Paul placed second. John Dozier of Duluth was third. No local drivers finished in the top ten.
Joe Daze was the winner of the rubber-to-ice class with brother Joe Daze in second.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 20, 1985 Hunter Jones Parnelli Jones
January 27, 1985 Hunter Jones
February 3, 1985 Hunter Jones Joe Daze
February 10, 1985
Lakeview Lodge 100
February 23 and 24 Lakeshore Drive
Rubber-to-ice Pat Daze Thunder Bay
Modified Ken Cich Duluth
Class A
Class B
Class X
Showroom Stock Herm Johnson Eau Claire, WI
Chris Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class S-A
Class S-B
Class S-P
1986
Unstable ice conditions on Lake Superior near the Lakeview Lodge forced the moving of the ice-racing season to Brule Bay near Chippewa Park. Ice conditions improved by the end of January, allowing the club to return to the Lakeshore Drive site. A lack of drivers forced the disbanding of the studded class. About fifteen non-studded cars competed during the season that began on January 26 and ended March 9. The final race weekend was expanded to include six heat races and two features to make up for a cancelled weekend. Dianne Massicotte won five of six races on the final race day to give her and co-driver Pat Dickey enough points to pass Daryl Daze for the drivers title. They finished with 191 points. Daze fell to third place with 143 points. Tom Geddes earned second overall with 161 points.
The annual International Ice Racing Association event was held February 22 and 23. Sponsorship from Molsons Breweries led to the renaming of the Lakeview Lodge 100 to the Molsons Lakeview 100. Sixteen drivers competed in the modified race. Leighton Reese of Minneapolis was the overall winner. Driving a Saab, Reese fought off second place finisher Joe Hauser of Minneapolis, driving a Saab, for the win. Among the local drivers to finish, Scotty Bell was 3rd; Steve Parlee was 8th; and Fred Calich was 9th. Class winners were Reese in Class X; Hauser in Class A; Calich in Class B; Terry Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota in Class S.
The showroom stock class, with 11 teams and 18 drivers, involved a two-hour race. Tom and Bob Archer of Duluth won in 82 laps. Chris and Jerry Orr of Burnsville were second. Hunter Jones, driving a car owned by the Archers finished third. The Archers were also the top Class A driving team. Don Coatsworth of Hill City, Minnesota, was the Class B winner.
Pat Dickey won the rubber-to-ice feature. Arni Murmi was second. Shawn Allen was third.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 26, 1986 n/a Charles Clair
February 2, 1986 n/a Tom Geddes
February 9, 1986
February 16, 1986 n/a Daryl Daze
March 9, 1986 n/a Dianne Massicotte
n/a Tom Geddes
Molsons Lakeview 100
February 22 and 23 Lakeshore Drive (Modified: 82 laps; Showroom stock: 47 laps)
Rubber-to-ice Pat Dickey Thunder Bay
Modified Leighton Reese Minneapolis Saab
Class A John Hauser Minneapolis Saab
Class B Fred Calich Thunder Bay
Class S Terry Orr Burnsville, MN
Class X Leighton Reese Minneapolis Saab
Showroom Stock Tommy Archer Duluth
Bobby Archer Duluth
Class S-A Tommy Archer Duluth
Bobby Archer Duluth
Class S-B Don Coatsworth Hill City, MN
1987
For the second year in a row, the start of the ice racing season had to be moved due to poor ice conditions on Lake Superior. The first two events were held at White Lily Lake, an inland lake located 22 kilometres north off Highway 527. Ice conditions at the Lake Superior site improved by the end of January, allowing the club a brief return. It was forced to retreat back to White Lily Lake where the season concluded after ice conditions on Lake Superior deteriorated again in the middle of February.
Four race events where held beginning January 25 and concluding February 15, with a doubling of event held on two weeks to make up for the short season. The studded division made its return with the non-studded or rubber-to-ice class. Barry White swept all six studded features to capture the divisions championship title. He finished with 243 points. Don Hupe was second with 140. Fred Calich was third with 83.
The driving team of Joe Daze and Chester Punpur won the rubber-to-ice title with 186 points. Dianne Massicotte and Jack Teskey teamed up for a second place finish with 155 points. Steve Parlee was third with 136.
White Lily Lake was the site of the running of the Molsons Lakeview 100 on February 28 and March 1. Twenty-seven showroom stock cars and twenty-three modified competitors were on hand, including drivers from Indianapolis and Riverside, California. After new perfect weather for the first day, a winter storm on the second resulted in near impossible driving conditions for both classes.
Twelve cars overturned and all three classes had their main races shortened. The modified feature was limited to 38 laps. Leighton Reese of Minneapolis became the first back-to-back winner by taking his Saab Sonnet to the front after early leader Ken Cich, of St. Paul ended up in a snow back when his Saab Sonnet encountered transmission problems. Second went to Bill Collins of St. Paul in a Honda with Scotty Bell third in a Saab.
Class winners were Reese in Class X; Bell in Class A, Fred Calich in Class B driving an Austin; and Chris Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota in Class C.
The stockroom class feature was reduced from 80 laps to 50. Winners were Bobby Archer of Duluth and Dwayne Mahder of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in SGT. Don Knowles of Duluth and Steve Potter of Frehold, New Jersey, won the SA class. Don and Marianne Coatsworth of Hill City, Minnesota, led the way in the SB class.
Two features were run in the rubber-to-ice class. Arni Nurmi won Saturdays event driving a Volkswagen. Steve Parlee was second in a Volkswagen. Mike Springfield of Chicago was third. On Sunday, it was a local sweep of the top three positions with Joe Daze earning the top prize. Parlee and Nurmi were second and third.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 25, 1987 Barry White Jack Teskey
February 1, 1987 Barry White Steve Parlee (pts)
Barry White/Fred Calich (pts) Arni Nurmi (pts)
February 8, 1987 Barry White (pts) Jack Teskey/Dianne Massicotte (pts)
February 15, 1987 Barry White Joe Daze
Barry White Jack Teskey/Dianne Massicotte
Molsons Lakeview 100
February 28 and March 1 White Lily Lake
Rubber-to-ice Arni Nurmi (Saturday) Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Joe Daze (Sunday) Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Modified Leighton Reese Saab-Sonnet
Class A Bill Collins St. Paul Honda
Class B Fred Calich Thunder Bay Austin
Class C Chris Orr Burnsville, MN
Class X Leighton Reese Saab-Sonnet
Showroom Stock Bob Archer Duluth
Dwayne Mahder Eau Claire, WI
Class S-A Don Knowles Duluth
Steve Potter Frehold, NJ
Class S-B Don Coatsworth Hill City, MN
Marianne Coatsworth Hill City, MN
Class SGT Bob Archer Duluth
Dwayne Mahder Eau Claire, WI
1988
Mokomen Lake, 22 kilometres west of Thunder Bay off Highway 102, was the site for ice racing. BF Goodrich joined to sponsor the rubber-to-ice class which was renamed the Goodrich class. The season started January 3 and concluded on February 14 with events on three weekends doubled.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 3, 1988 Brian Bureyko Terry Savela
January 10, 1988 John Lyon Terry Savela
Brian Bureyko/John Lyon Terry Savela
January 17, 1988 John-Bryan Gardiner Jouni Pohjolainen
January 31, 1988 John-Bryan Gardiner Terry Savela
John-Bryan Gardiner Shawn Allen
February 7, 1988 John-Bryan Gardiner Terry Savela
February 14, 1988 John-Bryan Gardiner Glen Brown
John-Bryan Gardiner Shawn Allen
1989
Racing returned to Lake Superior near Lakeview Lodge on Lakeshore Drive. The season opened January 30 and concluded February 19. The late start led to the club forced to double up on the races during to weekends
The IIRA returned on February 26 and 26 with over sixty drivers competing in the studded modified and showroom stock classes. John Menard of Eau Claire, Wisconsin won the Molson Lakeview 100 modified event and honours in Class X. John Dozier of Edina, Minnesota earned the Class A title with a second place finish. Brian Heitzman of Duluth was third. Top local driver was Scotty Bell with a fifth place finish. Other Class winners were Ken Ryba of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in Class A and Jerry Orr of Burnsville, Minnesota, in Class S.
The showroom stock class ran an endurance race that included a mandatory driver change and refuelling stop in the middle of the race. The driving team of Herm Johnson of Eau Claire and Terry Orr of Burnsville completed the race first. Jeff Sinden of Indianapolis and co-driver Dave Markquart of Eau Claire were second. Leighton Reese of Minneapolis and Peter Cunningham of Milwaukee raced to a third place finish. No local driving teams were involved in the event. Top class winners were Johnson/Orr in SGT; Don Coatsworth of Hill City, Minnesota and Bob Coatsworth of Minneapolis in SA and Anton Roggeman of Roseville, Minnesota and Gary Kendall of Forest Lake, Minnesota, in SB.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 30, 1989 Jack Teskey Al Wilson/Brian Langille
February 5, 1989 Rick Mercuri John MacDermid
February 12, 1989 Rick Mercuri Jeff Marshall
Brian Bureyko/John Lyon Al Wilson/Brian Langille
February 19, 1989 Rick Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
Jack Teskey Jon Nelson
Molson�s Lakeview 100
February 25 and 26 Lakeshore Drive (Modified: 45 laps; Showroom stock: 88 laps)
Modified John Menard Eau Claire, WI Mazda Turbo 323
Class A John Dozier Edina, MN Honda
Class B Ken Ryba Eau Claire, WI
Class S Jerry Orr Burnsville, MN
Showroom Stock Herm Johnson Eau Claire, WI Volkswagen Golf GTI
Terry Orr Burnsville, MN
Class S-A Don Coatsworth Hill City, MN
Bob Coatsworth Minneapolis
Class S-B Anton Roggeman Roseville, MN
Gary Kendall Forest Lake, MN
Class SGT Herm Johnson Eau Claire, WI Volkswagen Golf GTI
Terry Orr Burnsville, MN
1990
Ice racing got off to an early start with racing occurring at Mud Lake of Highway 102. The seven-week season started on January 7 with ideal ice conditions. Two heavy snowfalls and some unusually warm weather later in the month forced racing to be moved to Lake Superior near the Lakeview Lodge where the season was concluded on February 19.
The team of Al Wilson and Brian Langille repeated at champions in the BF Goodrich class in a Volkswagen Scirroco with 209 points. The father and son team of Don and Jon Nelson in a Honda placed second overall with 123 points. Dick Spooner and John Trevisanutto drove their Honda to third overall with 102 points.
In the studded class, Rick Mercuri in a Volkswagen Rabbit edged his brother Pino Mercuri, also in a VW Rabbit, by 18 points for the championship. Rick Mercuri ended the season with 188 points. Pino Mercuri concluded with 170 points. The team of Jeff Marshall and Barry White in a VW Rabbit placed third with 115 points.
Peter Cunningham of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, dominated the running of the Molson’s Lakeview 100 held March 3 and 4. Cunningham in a Honda won both the modified sprint races to give him top honours in GTX. Mike Rapa of Minneapolis was the top driver in the 4X4 class. Dan Gatten of St. Paul won the GTU class with Brian Heitzman of Duluth taking top honours in GTO.
In the 88-lap showroom stock endurance race, Cunningham teamed up with Leighton Reese of Minneapolis to complete the race first overall in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 41 seconds. Jeff Kuida of Gardena, California, and Parker Johnstone of Novato, California, claimed second in their Honda SI. Rick Albrechtson of Lacrosse, Wisconsin and Tom Mix of Holmen, Wisconsin, finished third. No local racers entered the event.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 7, 1990 Pino Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
January 14, 1990 Rick Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
January 21, 1990 Pino Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
January 29, 1990 Pino Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
February 11, 1990 Rick Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
February 19, 1990 Pino Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
Pino Mercuri Al Wilson/Brian Langille
Molsons Lakeview 100
March 3 and 4 Lakeshore Drive (Showroom Stock: 88 laps)
Modified Peter Cunningham Whitefish Bay, WI Honda Civic SI
Class GTU Dan Gatten St. Paul, MN
Class GTX Peter Cunningham Whitefish Bay, WI
Class GTO Brian Heitzman Duluth
Class 4X4 Mike Rappa Minneapolis
Showroom Stock Peter Cunningham Whitefish Bay, WI Honda Civic SI
Leighton Reese Minneapolis
Class S-A
Class S-B
Class S-P
1991
A rule change implemented at the beginning of the season allowed rubber-to-ice cars to run studs on the outer edge of tire. The change was designed to make competition a little closer.
Ice racing opened January 6 on Lake Superior near Lakeview Lodge, but the races were moved to the Thunder Bay harbour by the end of the month. The season concluded February 24. Pino Mercuri in a Volkswagen won the overall points title in the studded class with 231 points. Rick Mercuri in a Volkswagen Rabbit was second with 168 points and Steve Parlee in a Volkswagen Scirroco was third with 158 points. Al Wilson and Brian Langille won the BF Goodrich class for a third consecutive year, topping the standings with 155 points. Jeff Marshall and Caroline Teskey drove to a second place finish with 150 points. Arni Nurmi was just one point back third.
Molson’s ended its sponsorship of the IIRA event that now began the Lakeview 100. Instead of running at the end of the season, the event was held on January 19 and 20 at Marina Park. John Menard of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, completed a two-day sweep of the races by winning both the modified and showroom stock titles. Menard won both sprint races, then teamed up with John Kurchinski of Eau Claire to win the two-hour showroom stock endurance race. Menard was also the top modified driver in the GTX class. Barry White won the GTO class with Fred Calich taking the GTU honours. Chris and Larry Menard of Eau Claire were first overall in the S Class.
Menard and Kurchinski also grabbed driving honours in the showroom stock Class SGT. Dave Souther of Arden Hills, Minnesota and Mark Sanders of Inver Grove, Minnesota, were the top driving team in SB Class.
Results
Studded Rubber-to-ice
January 6, 1991 Rick Mercuri Arni Nurmi
January 13, 1991 Pino Mercuri Jeff Marshall/Carlene Teskey
January 27, 1991 Barry White Jeff Marshall/Carlene Teskey
February 3, 1991 Pino Mercuri Jeff Marshall/Carlene Teskey
February 10, 1991 Pino Mercuri Jeff Marshall/Carlene Teskey
February 17, 1991 Rick Mercuri Arni Nurmi
February 24, 1991 Rick Mercuri Jeff Marshall/Carlene Teskey
Lakeview 100
January 19 and 20 Marina Park
Modified John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class GTU Fred Calich Thunder Bay
Class GTX John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class GTO Barry White Thunder Bay
Class S Chris Menard Eau Claire, WI
Larry Menard Eau Claire, WI
Showroom Stock John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Jon Kurchinski Eau Claire, WI
Class S-B Dave Souther Arden Hill, MN
Mark Sanders Inver Grove, MN
Class SGT John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Jon Kurchinski Eau Claire, WI
1992
Racing returned to Mud Lake with the season starting on January 12 and ending February 23. The club ran three levels of competition, rubber-to-ice, modified and super-modified.
Barry White became the first local driver since 1984 to win the IIRAs Thunder Bay event called the Thunder Bay Grand Prix on Ice. After finished second in the first modified sprint race, White won the second after early race leader Scotty Bell lost a wheel and forced to retire to the pits. Bell drove more than half a lap before realizing the problem was more severe than a flat tire. Steve Parlee was second. Mike Rapa of Minneapolis was third.
John Menard and Jon Kurchinski of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, combined driving duties to finish the two-hour showroom stock endurance in first. Charlie and Chris Menard of Eau Claire were second. Len Jackson of St. Paul and Cary Kendall of Forest Lake, Minnesota were third.
Results
Modified Rubber-to-ice Super modified
January 12, 1992 Bob Chabluk Carl Henny Pino Mercuri
January 19, 1992 Mark Lagalais Steve Miles Pino Mercuri
February 2, 1992 Bob Chabluk Carl Henny Barry White
February 9, 1992 Bob Chabluk Fred Henny Rick Mercuri
February 23, 1992
Thunder Bay Grand Prix
February 15 and 16 Mud Lake (Showroom Stock: 2 hours)
Modified Barry White Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Class GTU
Class GTX
Class GTO
Class S
SHOWROOM Jon Kurshinski Eau Claire, WI
John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class S-A
Class S-B
Class SGT
1993
Marina Park was home to the ice-racing season that began January 31 and ended February 21.
Results
Modified Rubber-to-ice Super modified
January 31, 1993 n/a Julia Wowk/Steve Miles Jo-Ann Thibault
February 7, 1993 Al Wilson/Brian Langille Carl Henny Jo-Ann Thibault
February 13, 1993 Mark Legalle Fred Henny Steve Miles/Julia Wowk
February 14, 1993 Shawn Allen Fred Calich
February 21, 1993 Al Wilson/Brian Langille Fred Henny Dave Allen
1994
The Menard Racing team swept all three races at the IIRA event newly named the Thunder in the Bay Ice Racing Championship held February 12 and 13. John Menard of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, won the 30-lap modified sprint race then hooked up with his nephew, Charlie Menard, in a Mazda 323 to win the two-hour showroom stock endurance, beating out the team of Scott Kronn and Steve Noffke of Holmen, Wisconsin, by just ten seconds. Steve Beddor and John Dozier of Minneapolis placed third. Don Hupe was the lone Thunder Bay driver in the endurance race. He teamed up with Steve Carter of Arden Hill, Minnesota, for an eighth place finish in the race. Steve Parlee finished third in the modified sprint with John-Brian Gardner and Fred Calich placing fourth.
Class winners in the modified division were Menard in GTX; and Steve Wall of Bloomer, Wisconsin, in GTO. Hupe tied with Chris Thiesen of Crystal, Minnesota, for top honours in GTU. Kronn/Noffke and Wally Rennick of St. James, Minnesota tied first overall in S class.
Results
Thunder In the Bay
February 12 and 13 Lakeshore Drive
Modified John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class GTU Don Hupe Thunder Bay
Class GTX John Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class GTO Steve Wall Bloomer, WI
Class S Scott Kronn Holmen, WI
Steven Noffke Holmen, WI
Wally Rennick St. James, MN
Showroom Stock John Menard Eau Claire, WI Mazda 323
Charlie Menard Eau Claire, WI
Class RS
Class S-B
Class SGT
1999
The International Ice Racing Association holds its event on February 27 and 28, on the ice of Lake Superior at the Silver Harbor Conservation Area. A 1.17-mile road course with six turns was created. Despite the original track floating off into Lake Superior the week before, and the fact that there was pouring rain on Saturday morning, the race weekend was still able to proceed. A series of 6 lap rubber-to-ice and 10 lap studded heat races with an 8 and 15 lap feature race respectively were run on Saturday. On Sunday, there were half hour rubber-to-ice and studded sprint races with the grand finale, a 1 hour and 55 minute endurance race to end the 1999 IIRA season.
Rick Mercuri captured the sprint title in the studded class finishing first overall in his GTO Volkswagen Rabbit. The driving team of Ed Fukushima and Hunter Jones in a GTX Class Saab Sonnet won the studded enduro. Len Jackson of St Paul was second in a GTX-Lite Volkswagen Rabbit. Michael Rappa of Minneapolis and Don Coatsworth of Hill City, Minnesota were third in a SGT Volkswagen Fox.
Other class winners were Dan Burhans and Tony Burhans of Appleton, Wisconsin in ST driving a Saab 900 to a fourth place finish overall. Jouni Pohjolainen and Brad Folino drove their Nissan Sentra to a ninth place finish to win GTU honours. David Kapaun and John Hogdahl in a Volkswagen Rabbit, finished eleventh and won the GTO class
Results
IIRA Event
February 27 and 28 Lakeshore Drive
Studded Ed Fukushima Thunder Bay Saab-Sonnet
Hunter Jones Thunder Bay
Class GTU Jouni Pohjolainen Thunder Bay Nissan Sentra
Brad Folino Thunder Bay
Class GTX Ed Fukushima Thunder Bay Saab Sonnet
Hunter Jones Thunder Bay
Class GTX Lite Len Jackson St. Paul Volkswagen Rabbit
Class GTO Dave Kapaun Hugo, MN Volkswagen Rabbit
John Hogdahl Ham Lake, MN
Class ST Dan Burhans Appleton, WI Saab 900
Tony Burhans Appleton, WI
Class SGT Michael Rappa Minneapolis Volkswagen Fox
Don Coatsworth Hill City, MN
Sprint Series Rick Mercuri Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
2000
Ice racing held at Mud Lake.
Results
Modified Rubber-to-ice
January 31, 2000
February 6, 2000
IIRA Event
Studded
Class GTU
Class GTX
Class GTX Lite
Class GTO
Class ST
Class SGT
Sprint Series
2001
Ice Racing held at Mud Lake
The International Ice Racing Association held its season finale in Thunder Bay on February 24 and 25. With a winter storm moving in, competitors arrived at Silver Harbor Conservation Area on Saturday morning. However, in the middle of the second practice session, a large pressure ridge sprang up. Everyone got off of the ice before anyone or any vehicle was stranded, but the day’s events were cancelled. For Sunday, the racing was moved to Mud Lake, but the winter storm caused a lot of trouble. At times there were whiteout conditions for the drivers, and the snowplows had to work hard to keep up with the drifting snow. A shortened race schedule with a short studded sprint race, an adapted endurance race, and a few rubber-to-ice heat races in between were held.
Results
Modified Rubber-to-ice
January 21, 2001
IIRA Event
February 24 and 25 Silver Harbour conservation area and Mud Lake
Studded
Class GTU
Class GTX
Class GTX Lite
Class GTO
Class ST
Class SGT
Sprint Series
2002
Chippewa Park became the new home to the Thunder Bay Autosport Club and its ice racing series. Studded and rubber-to-ice divisions were created with two sub-classes in each. Rubber-to-ice was broken into front wheel drive and rear wheel drive. Bridgestone signed on as a major sponsor of the rubber to ice division. Bridgestone Blizzaks became the tire of choice for most drivers. The studded class was divided into an A and B class. Cars classified as GTX, GTO, GTX Lite by the International Ice Racing Association in studded A and ST, SGT and GTU designations making up the studded B class
Car registrations increased as the season progressed. The studded class tripled in size from four cars at the start of the season to 15. Rubber-to-ice cars saw numbers go from 9 to 23. Rick Mercuri captured the overall points title in the studded class, as well as winning the studded A division Steve Cameron won the studded B crown. Rob Wronowski was the top driver in the rubber-to-ice class and the front wheel driver division. Don Kettering was the winner of the rear wheel drive class that consisted mainly of Chevy Chevettes.
More than fifty racecars in the studded and rubber classes were part of the International Ice Racing Association’s annual event at Chippewa Park on February 23 and 24 around a 0.7-mile track. Thirteen cars from the U.S. made the trip to challenge the Canadians, but it was the local drivers who dominated. Rick Mercuri, driving a GTO class Volkswagen Rabbit, won overall honors in the endurance race. He led all 94 laps in 1 hour, 31 minutes and 52.3 seconds. A full lap behind in second was Jouni Pohjolainen in a GTX Eagle Talon. Paul Palzer of Lino Lakes, Minnesota was third. Kyle Smith and Klint finished 5th overall in a Volkswagen to take ST Class honours. Pino Amendola drove his Honda Civic to a seventh place finish to win GTU
Mercuri also won both sprint races with Pohjolainen finishing right behind in second both time. Lawrence Loshak of Milwaukee was third in a Honda in the first 15-lap sprint. Len Jackson in a Volkswagen Rabbit earned a third in the second, a 22-lap event.
Results
Studded A Studded B Rubber-to-ice FWD Rubber-to-ice RWD
January 6, 2002 Rick Mercuri Steve Cameron Fred Henny Don Kettering
January 13, 2002 Rick Mercuri Steve Cameron Jeff Marshall Don Kettering
January 20, 2002 Rick Mercuri Steve Cameron Rob Wronowski Don Kettering
January 27, 2002 Rick Mercuri Steve Cameron Ron Wronowski Ruben Thomas
February 3, 2002 Rick Mercuri Steve Cameron Fred Henny Don Kettering
February 9, 2002 Greg Symons Jack Teskey Jeff Marshall n/a
February 10, 2002 Rick Mercuri Jack Teskey Rob Wronowski Don Kettering
February 17, 2002 Rick Mercuri Tanner Henderson Jeff Marshall Don Kettering
Chippewa Grand Prix
February 24 and 25 Chippewa Park (Studded: 94 laps; Rubber-to-ice; 20 laps)
Rubber-to-ice Jeff Marshall Thunder Bay Honda Civic
David McLuckie Thunder Bay
Studded Enduro Rick Mercuri Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Class GTU Pino Amendola Thunder Bay Honda Civic
Class GTX Jouni Pohjolainen Thunder Bay Eagle Talon
Class GTX Lite Tim Young Evansville, WI Honda CRX
Troy Greenberg Beloit, WI
Class GTO Rick Mercuri Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Class ST Kyle Smith Volkswagen
Klint Smith
Sprint Series
Class GTU Tyler Doherty Thunder Bay Honda
Moe Gouliquor Thunder Bay
Class GTX Jouni Pohjolainen Thunder Bay Eagle Talon
Class GTO Rick Mercuri Thunder Bay Volkswagen Rabbit
Class SGT John Zmuda Falls Creek, WI Dodge Omni
Kelly Zmuda Falls Creek, WI
Class ST Curtis Lyon Thunder Bay Honda Civic
Tanner Henderson Thunder Bay
2003
Ice racing returned to Chippewa Park with the eight-week season opening on January 16 and ending March 9. Driver membership was strong with a record twenty-nine rubber and eighteen studded cars registered. Fan support also increased with crowds reaching the 1,000 mark on some race days, despite subzero temperatures. To improve the fans enjoyment of the race, a new FM transmitter was purchased that allowed them to here the public address announcer directly through their car radios.
A lack of snow forced drivers to race the first few weeks without the benefit of snow banks protecting them from the rock breakwall or beach areas. A few drivers found the rocks during an early practice session, but all stayed away from them in subsequent race days. Snow finally fell for the first time in the final two weeks of January
Jeff Marshall, driving a Honda Civic, dominated the Bridgestone Blizzaks rubber-to-ice class. He won the first seven feature races and claimed the checkered flag in twelve heat races during his championship run. Dave Goodfellow was the top driver in the rear wheel class, finishing ahead of four other Chevette drivers on six of eight occasions.
The race for the NAPA Auto Parts Studded Class championship was a close one and wasn’t decided until the final Sunday. Hunter Jones, in an Eagle Talon co-driven by Ed Fukushima, won the overall and studded A title by winning the final feature, ahead of Rick Mercuri. Jason Jones, a newcomer to ice racing, drove his Honda CRX to the championship in the studded B class.
Results
Studded A Studded B Rubber -to-ice FWD Rubber-to-ice RWD
January 12, 2003 Rick Mercuri Jack Teskey Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
January 19, 2003 Rick Mercuri Jason Jones Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
January 26, 2003 Hunter Jones Jason Jones Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
February 2, 2003 Hunter Jones Jason Jones Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
February 9, 2003 Rick Mercuri Jack Teskey Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
February 16, 2003 Hunter Jones Jack Teskey Jeff Marshall Dave Goodfellow
March 2, 2003 Hunter Jones Jack Teskey Jeff Marshall Jim Nelson
March 9, 2003 Hunter Jones Jason Jones Darren Hynnes Jim Nelson
Chippewa Grand Prix
February 22 and 23 Chippewa Park
Rubber-to-ice Jeff Marshall FWD Thunder Bay Honda Civic
Duncan Jamieson RWD Thunder Bay Chevette
Studded Enduro Pino Amendola Thunder Bay Honda CRX
Don Kettering Thunder Bay
Class GTX Pino Amendola Thunder Bay Honda CRX
Don Kettering Thunder Bay
Class GTX Lite Tim Young Evansville, WI Honda CRX
Troy Greenberg Beloit, WI
Class GTO Paul Palzer Lino Lakes, MN Volkswagen Rabbit
Cheryl Palzer Lino Lakes, MN
Class ST Tony Burhans Appleton, WI Saab 900
Daniel Burhans Appleton, WI
Class SGT Dee Pendergast Mankato, MN Chevy Citation
Dick Norby Lake Crystal, MN
Sprint Series
Class GTU Jack Teskey Thunder Bay Honda Civic
Don Goodfellow Thunder Bay
Class GTX Hunter Jones Thunder Bay Eagle Talon
Ed Fukushima Thunder Bay
Class GTX Lite Tim Young Evansville, WI Honda CRX
Troy Greenberg Beloit, WI
Mike Moser Milwaukee Honda CRX
Class GTO Paul Palzer Lino Lakes, MN Volkswagen Rabbit
Cheryl Palzer Lino Lakes, MN
Class ST Paul Gilbert Davenport, IO Volkswagen Scirroco
Class SGT Mike Gardner Mound, MN Volkswagen GTI
Jake Gardner Mound, MN